Chapel Hill home builders, like others in the Raleigh-Durham region, use a variety of materials for front porches and decks.

Most entry level homes are built with slab foundations and ground level concrete porchs.

Mid-level homes are usually built with a crawl space foundation in place of a slab, with the entry to the home several steps up.

Some have concrete porches with brick steps (pictured here), and some have deck porches with wood steps.

What’s the best approach?

When you ask a Chapel Hill home builder to create your new home, they will usually leave those kinds of choices up to you. What do you think looks and feels best? That’s what you should go with – as long as the terrain and home design accommodate your choice.

Here are some things to consider:

Concrete Front Porches

- Don't need to be repainted

- Don't peel

- Don't lose water protection over time

- Are easy to clean

- Hold up better under foot traffic from high heels, sports shoes, kids and pets

Wood (Deck) Front Porches

- Can be painted or stained with a variety of colors

- Need to be repainted or resealed over time

- Can collect debris in the cracks between boards, inhibiting water run-off.

- Require more upkeep

- Can be more costly, depending on the size and height

- Can add personality through color and accents

From an aesthetic point of view, wood or concrete is a matter of taste and preference. Both can be very appealing, and can really add to or change the look of a new home.

What’s the difference in cost?

Depending on height and ground conditions, the cost may be about the same for a treated wood front porch or a concrete front porch.

If the front porch is several steps above ground, a concrete porch may require at least some amount of backfill and compacting to support the concrete, which can add to the cost. Of course the cost for concrete can also increase if a "stamped" version is requested.

Ask your Chapel Hill home builder what type of front porch they build on standard homes. Let them know the lot and floor plan you're considering, and they should be able to tell you what your options are, based on porch size, type of foundation, slope of land – and, of course, your budget.

Learn More About Chapel Hill Home Builders and Building Your New Home in the Chapel Hill Area

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or see our online calendar for our next "Meet the Builder" event, and bring us all your custom home building questions.